La Paz quite literally takes your breath away but not only because of its high-altitude location but also because of its stunning location in a bowl fashioned among the Andes. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, iron-rich red hills and grotesque sandstone formations this capital city is rich in geographical contrasts and economic disparities. It is to here that migrants flood in search of a better income and find themselves overwhelmed by noise, wealth and the ensuing chaos of an unplanned city. La Paz is a feast for your eyes; while children play happily in their mother’s voluminous skirts at her stall selling absolutely everything, the teachers are protesting in the road; politicians in the latest 4WDs hurtle by escorted by police on motorbikes powered by petrol the enforcers of law and order can not afford; we sit watching the world go by drinking imported coffee for U$1.50 a cup while the football fans cheer on their national team and drink their Bolivian coffee for less than 20 cents a steaming, sugary cup.